Philosophy For Our Times
Consciousness and the limits of science PART 2 | Sean Carroll, Ellen Langer, and Tamar Gendler
Oct 18, 2024
Join Sean Carroll, a renowned physicist and podcast host, Ellen Langer, a Harvard psychologist and mindfulness expert, and Tamar Gendler, Yale’s philosophy dean. They dive into the limits of science in addressing consciousness. The trio debates how our language shapes reality and influences perceptions, particularly around mental experiences and chronic conditions. They tackle the dualism versus monism debate, questioning if materialism can truly capture the essence of our thoughts and feelings, all while pondering the profound connection between mind and body.
27:34
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Quick takeaways
- Ellen Langer emphasizes that rigid categorization of mind and body can obscure their interconnectedness, influencing healing and understanding of experiences.
- Tamar Gendler argues for a monistic perspective, suggesting that subjective experiences reflect a unified existence rather than distinct ontological categories.
Deep dives
The Impact of Language on Understanding Consciousness
Language plays a crucial role in shaping how individuals understand the concepts of mind and body. The distinction between these two categories can often lead to confusion, as both are fundamentally human constructs rather than separate entities. This perspective suggests that our interpretations of experiences may be influenced by the language we use to describe them. The philosopher Ellen Langer emphasizes that categorizing experiences too rigidly can overshadow the interconnectedness of bodily and mental states, illustrating that healing may be more effective if we view the body as a unified whole.
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